Average sugar consumption in Sri Lanka is more than three times higher than the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), raising serious concerns about oral health, according to Consultant Dental Surgeon Dr. Chandana Gajanayake.
Speaking at a media briefing, Dr. Gajanayake said an average person in the country consumes about 34 kilograms of sugar per year, compared with the WHO’s recommended limit of 10 kilograms annually.
“The WHO recommends that a healthy person should consume about 10 kilograms of sugar per year, but an average person here consumes around 34 kilograms annually,” he said.
He warned that excessive sugar intake significantly contributes to dental diseases, including gum disease.
“If we look at gum disease among adults, the percentage is about 50%. That means one out of every two adults suffers from gum disease,” Dr. Gajanayake noted.
The remarks were made in connection with the fifth National Oral Health Survey, which is scheduled to begin on March 10 and continue until November.
The previous national oral health survey was conducted in 2015–2016, while the WHO recommends that such surveys be carried out every 10 years to evaluate oral health conditions in a country.
According to the last survey, around 30% of 12-year-old children had tooth decay, a significant improvement from nearly 70% recorded during the first national oral health survey conducted in 1982–1983.
The upcoming survey will also examine children aged five years and below, as earlier studies found that about 63% of children in that age group suffered from tooth decay.
Dr. Gajanayake added that more than 75% of people currently use fluoride toothpaste, which he described as a positive trend for dental health.
However, he cautioned that the rise in toothpaste prices during the recent economic crisis has led to the re-emergence of tooth powder products in the market.
“Tooth powder is harmful because its rough texture can damage teeth,” he warned.